Researchers at the Australian National University (ANU) have made an astonishing discovery – the fastest growing black hole known to date. This black hole, known as Quasar J0529-4351, has a mass 17 billion times larger than the Sun and consumes matter weighing slightly more than the Sun every day.
Quasar J0529-4351 is located 12 billion light-years away from Earth and emits an incredible amount of energy, making it 500 trillion times brighter than our own star. The immense brightness comes from a seven-light-year-wide disk of accreting matter surrounding the black hole.
What is truly surprising about this discovery is not only the brightness of the quasar and the rapid growth of the black hole, but also the fact that this extraordinary object has only just been observed. Despite the existence of approximately one million less impressive quasars known to scientists, it wasn’t until now that Quasar J0529-4351 was identified.
The search for quasars involves studying vast areas of the sky, generating a massive amount of data that is beyond human capacity to analyze. Therefore, scientists rely on machine learning models to analyze and classify the objects. However, these models are trained on existing data and may misclassify extremely bright objects like Quasar J0529-4351 as nearby stars instead of quasars.
Last year, Australian scientists examined the object using a 2.3-meter telescope at the Siding Spring Observatory and determined that it was indeed a quasar, not a star. However, further analysis required the use of a larger telescope. They turned to the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) and utilized a spectrometer to unveil the true nature of this exceptional object.
Researchers eagerly await the completion of the VLT’s GRAVITY+ instrument, which will precisely measure the mass of black holes. Additionally, the construction of the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), set to launch in 2028, will enable the identification of more distant supermassive black holes.
It is worth noting that a few years ago, NASA and ESA announced the discovery of a quasar that was 600 trillion times brighter than the Sun. However, it was later revealed that the brightness was magnified through gravitational lensing, and the object is actually only 11 billion times brighter than the Sun.
FAQs about the Discovery of Quasar J0529-4351
1. What is the significance of the discovery?
The discovery of Quasar J0529-4351 is significant because it is the fastest growing black hole known to date. It has a mass 17 billion times larger than the Sun and consumes matter equivalent to the weight of the Sun every day. It is also incredibly bright, emitting energy that is 500 trillion times brighter than our own Sun.
2. How far away is Quasar J0529-4351?
Quasar J0529-4351 is located 12 billion light-years away from Earth.
3. Why is the brightness of Quasar J0529-4351 surprising?
Quasar J0529-4351 is surprising not only due to its brightness but also because it has only recently been observed despite the existence of approximately one million less impressive quasars known to scientists.
4. How do scientists search for quasars?
Scientists search for quasars by studying vast areas of the sky, which generates a massive amount of data. To analyze and classify these objects, scientists rely on machine learning models trained on existing data. However, these models can misclassify extremely bright objects like Quasar J0529-4351 as nearby stars instead of quasars.
5. What instruments were used to determine the nature of Quasar J0529-4351?
Scientists initially examined the object using a 2.3-meter telescope at the Siding Spring Observatory and determined that it was a quasar, not a star. Further analysis required the use of the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) and a spectrometer to unveil the true nature of the object.
6. What instruments are researchers waiting for?
Researchers eagerly await the completion of the VLT’s GRAVITY+ instrument, which will precisely measure the mass of black holes. Additionally, the construction of the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), set to launch in 2028, will enable the identification of more distant supermassive black holes.
Definitions:
– Quasar: A quasar is an extremely bright and distant active galactic nucleus, powered by a supermassive black hole at the center of a galaxy.
– Accreting matter: Matter that falls onto a black hole and forms a disk of material surrounding it.
– Spectrometer: An instrument used to measure the properties of light, such as its intensity and wavelength.
Related Links:
– ANU Official Website
– European Southern Observatory Official Website
– ESO Public Website
The source of the article is from the blog mivalle.net.ar